Bill Restricting Gun Possession Heads To Dayton

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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota is on the verge of restricting gun possession rights for people convicted of domestic abuse and those subject to restraining orders.

The Senate voted 60-4 on Monday to require people convicted of child or domestic abuse to give up their firearms permanently. A person subject to an order of protection could regain right of possession when an order expires unless a judge extends the order.

The House passed the same bill last week. The legislation now goes to Gov. Mark Dayton, who said on Monday that he supports the measure.

“It’s very commendable that there is broad bipartisan support and that organizations in the past that might have opposed something like that are supportive,” Dayton said. “It recognizes that people are at serious life risk in those situations.”

It’s rare for Minnesota to tighten gun laws. just a few months after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, an effort failed to expand background checks on gun purchasers.

St. Paul city attorney Sara Grewing, a supporter of the legislation, said last week the bill would save lives. She said victims of domestic violence are six times more likely to be killed if a weapon exists at the home.